Release device for inflatable flotation devices



H, E. HEIGIS April 7, 1936.

RELEASE DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICES Filed June 28, 1933 Hal/Rs 1 FIGURE 3 fiOl/RB 2.

INVENTOR /7'NRY fRNEJT H51 6/5 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RELEASE DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICES Henry Ernest Heigis, West Orange, N. J assignor to Walter Kidde & Company, Inc., Bloomfield,

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to inflatable life-preservers of the type employing a cartridge containing highly compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide, as the inflating medium, the lifepreserver consisting essentially of a chambered vest or the like, a' compressed gas cartridge, and novel means for holding the cartridge and for efiecting the discharge of the compressed gas from the cartridge into the chamber of the vest.

Among the more general objects of the invention is the provision of a life-preserver of the type referred to which is of simple and durable construction, simple and efficient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

Among the more specific objects of the invention is the provision of a life preserver of the type referred to in which the compressed gas cartridge is easily replaced; in which it is impossible to incorrectly replace the cartridge, in which leakage of the gas from the life-preserver is effectively prevented, and in which the means for effecting the discharge of the contents of the cartridge is operable from any one of a plurality of directions.

These, and other objects of the invention, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a life-vest embodying the improved compressed gas cartridge holding and discharge effecting means of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view, showing the features of construction of the cartridge holding means and cartridge discharge efiecting means.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation corresponding to the showing of Figure 2.

Figure l'shows an inflatable life-vest I of rubberized-fabric with'a compressed gas cartridge assembled thereto and complete and" ready for enabling a durable and air-tight joint to be Referring, now to Figure 2, the reference 1111- BEISSUED no part of the present invention, being now a standard practice in this art. It should, however, be noted that the container 6 is provided with openings 1 for communicating with the inflatable chamber of the vest, and it will accord-' ingly be understood that the container 6 must be assembled into the vest in a manner to leave the openings 1' uncovered by the wall of the vest.

Coupled to the container 6, by means of a screwthreaded engagement, and serving as a closure for the open end of the container, is a chambered body member 8. In order to provide a gas-tight relationship between the container 6 and the body member 8, there is provided a gasket 9 which is compressed between a shoulder II] of the member 8 and the end of the container B. Mounted within the chamber of the body member 8 is a spindle I l, carrying a pointed puncturing element l2 positioned adjacent but spaced from the puncturable wall 5 of the cartridge 2, the spindle ll extending exteriorly of the member 8 for a purpose to be described. Encompassing the opening in the wall of the member 8, through which the spindle H extends exteriorly of the member 8, is a valve seat l3, which is adapted to cooperate with a valve comprising a flanged member I4 formed on the spindle H and carrying a valve seating material l5.

Assembled within one end of the chamber of the member 8, by means of a screw-threaded engagement, is a bushing l6 provided with a flange I! for securing the gasket 9 against the I shoulder H] of the member 8, so that the gasket 9 is always available for effecting a gas-tight joint between the member 8 and the container 6. The bushing i6 is also provided with a central bore l8 serving as a guide for the spindle H, and is recessed, as at 19, for receiving a coiled spring 20, which is designed to bear against the flanged member l4, servingboth to normally maintain the puncturing element l2 out of contact with the puncturable wall 5 of the cartridge 2 and to normally maintain a gas-tight relationship between the valve seat l3 and the valve seating material Hi. The bushing 16 is also provided with a projecting sleeve portion 2| following closely the contour of the necked end 4 of the cartridge 2 and serving to prevent coupling of the member 8 to the container 6 in the event the cartridge past the that the cartridge 2 is incorrectly inserted in the container 6 with the rounded end 3 of the cartridge adjacent the open end of the container 6 instead of adjacent the closed end thereof. The bushing IE- is shown with a diametrically disposed slot 2| for receiving a tool to assemble it to the member 8-and serving also as a passage for the contents discharged from the cartridge.

As an additional safeguard against coupling of the member 8 to the container 6 when the cartridge 2 is incorrectly inserted in the container, the screw-threads normaliy formed on the container 6 are removed, as shown at 22, for a sufficient distance to prevent engagement of the screw-threads on-the container 6 with the screwthreads on the member 8 when the cartridge 21 is in the wrong position.

Mounted upon the exterior of the body member 8 is a sleeve member 23 provided with lugs 24 carrying a pin 25, on which is pivotally mounted a lever 26 having any suitable cam-like surface 21 for engaging the outer end of the spindle ll, upon rotation of the lever 26, for forcing the puncturing element l2 through the frangible wall of the cartridge, so as to release the contents thereof into the container 6 for introduction into the chamber of the vest through the openings 1, in which connection it is to be understood that the cartridge 2 does not fit tightly within the container 6, but that there is sufficient space between them'for permitting the contents of the cartridge to reach the openings 1. By designing the lever 26 of the shape shown and by providing an operating cord 28 and an operating handle 29 for operating the lever by pulling the operating handle in a direction substantially parallel to the iongitudinal axis of the container 6, the camlike surface 21 will override its highest point 36, thus permitting the puncturing element :2 to be withdrawn from the opening made in the puncturable wall of the cartridge, under the influence of the coiled spring 28, the latter at the same time effecting a gas-tight relationship between the valve seat l3 and the valve seating material l5, thus preventing escape of the contents of the cartridge past the spindle ll.

In order to prevent leakage of the contents of spindle during the relatively short period when the valve is unseated, a close-working fit is provided between the spindle II and the wall of the member 8 at the point p where the spindle passes through the wall.

In order to permit the lever 26 to be operated from any one of a plurality of circumferentiai positions, the sleeve member 23 is mounted on the member 8 in such a manner rotatable thereon, the desired freedom of rotation being accomplished -',in the construction shown by receiving the flange 3| of the sleeve member 23 within a bored out portion of the member 8 and turning over aportion of the metal of the member 8' to hold the flange 3! against longitudinal movement, while at the same time per= mitting it to rotate freely.

From the foregoing description it wili be seen that I have provided a new and useful structure adapted primarily foruse with inflatable lifepreservers and carrying out the objects set forth at the beginning. However, while the invention has been described with reference to one specific form of construction, it will be readily understood that the invention is capable of embodiment 'in other forms of construction for thesame or different uses, and I accordingly do not- WISh y as to be freely 'aosaeas end and open at the other end and having a passage in the wall of the container establishing communication with the exterior thereof and arranged to receive the removable compressed gas cartridge with its puncturable wall positioned acijacent the open end of the container, a chambered body member engaging the open end of the container and constituting a closure therefor, the puncturable wall of the compressed gas cartridge being arranged on a necked-in portion of the cartridge, means to prevent assembly of the chambered body member and the container when the cartridge is incorrectly arranged with the puncturable wall thereof opposite to the open end of the container, said last named means comprising a restricted portion of the chamber of the body member adapted to closely encompass the necked-in portion of the cartridge and ,to prevent the aforesaid assembly when the cartridge is reprising a container for the cartridge closed at one end and operf at the other end and having a. passage in the wall of the container establishing communication with the exterior thereof and arranged to receive the removable compressed gas cartridge with its puncturable wall positioned adjacent the open end of the container, a chambered body member for closing the open end of the container, means for coupling the chambered body member to the container, the puncturable wall of the compressed gas cartridge being arranged on a necked-in portion of the cartridge, means to prevent initial engagement of the means to couple the chambered body member to the container when the cartridge is incorrectly arranged with the puneturable wall thereof opposite to the open end of the container; and a movable puncturing member mounted in the chamber of the body member and adapted to puncture the punce turable wall of the compressed gas cartridge.

3. A compressed gas cartridge unit for a removable metallic compressed gas cartridge of the type having a puncturable metallic wall, comprising a container for the cartridge closed at one end and open-at the other end'and having a passage in the wall of the container establishing communication with the exterior thereof and arranged to receive the removable compressed gas cartridge with its puncturable wall positioned adjacent the open end of the container, a chambered body member for closing the open end of the container, means for coupling the chambered so space the chambered member and the container as to prevent initial engagement of the means to couple the chambered body member to the container, and a movable puncturing member mounted in the chamber of the body memher and adapted to puncture the puncturable wall of the compressed gas cartridge.

4. A compressed gas cartridge unit for a removable metallic compressed gas cartridge of the type having a puncturable metallic wall, comprising a container for the cartridge closed at one end and open at the other end and having a passage in the wall 01 the container establishing communication with the exterior thereof and arranged to receive the removable compressed gas cartridge with its puncturable wall positioned adjacent the open end 01 the container, a chambered body member for closing the open end oi the container, means for coupling the chambered body member to the container, the puncturable wall of the compressed gas cartridge being arranged on a necked-in portion of the cartridge, a sleeve on said chambered body member adapted to closely encompass the necked-in portion of the cartridge when the latter is correctly positioned in the container, said coupling means being proportioned to prevent initial engagement thereof when the cartridge is incorrectly positioned in the container and the sleeve engages the end thereof, and a movable puncturing member mounted in the chamber or the body member and adapted to'puncture the puncturable wall of the compressed gas cartridge.

HENRY ERNEST mucus. 

